PM Narendra Modi commissions INS Kalvari, dedicates to the country

On Thursday, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned India’s first domestic-built Scorpene-class submarine INS Kalvari to the Indian Navy, calling it a major new era “to boost India’s defence and security”. The PM Modi formally revealed the commissioning plaque of the INS Kalvari onto the submarine and congratulated and shook hands with the various naval officers in Mumbai.

It is the first current submarine to be initiated into the Indian Navy following more than 17 years even as the navy’s submarine arm celebrates its golden jubilee this year. While addressing the grand gathering on the momentous occasion, PM Modi also thanked France for its help and cooperation on emerging the project. “It signifies the further strengthening of the growing strategic ties between India and France in recent times,” PM Modi said. The INS Kalvari will give a major boost and synergize the nation’s defence, economic, technical, and international powers, correspondingly with people power on the global arena, the PM said.

“The 21st century will belong to Asia and the Indian Ocean will play a crucial and strategic role in ensuring what I call SAGAR – Security and Growth for All in the Region,” PM Modi added. The ultra-modern features submarine has been built by the Mazagaon Dockyard Ltd under its Project 75 with technological collaboration from DCNS, France. The Maharashtra Governor CV Rao, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre, French Ambassador to India Alexandre Zeigler and Chief of Naval Staff Sunil Lanba were also present on the occasion.